Planning application lodged for large-scale solar farm in Clara
By Orlaith Delaney
A planning application for a major solar farm in Clara has been lodged with Offaly County Council.
Engie Developments Ireland Limited formally applied to the council on September 3 for permission to develop and operate a circa 14MW solar farm at Ballyboughlin, Clara.
The 29.75ha site is located off Curragh Road (L20157). The development will consist of approximately 38,000 south-facing panels on ground mounted metal frames, with a maximum height above ground of 3.17 metres.
According to documentation supplied with the application, a 10-year development period is sought due to given variabilities in relation to electricity grid connection.
It is anticipated that the proposed development would operate for 35 years, after which an assessment will be carried out on whether the solar panels should be replaced or the site decommissioned.
According to the planning application, the proposed site was chosen due to its southern aspect, natural contours, and the availability of a convenient National Grid connection via the existing 38Kv Clara substation approximately 4.26 kilometres away.
The site is accessed via the Curragh Road, (L20171) that in turn joins the R420 Regional Road via the L20157. The entrance is located along the eastern perimeter of the site extending from the Curragh Road, and no additional access points are proposed.
During the construction and development stage, it is estimated that there will be a total of 684 heavy goods vehicle (HGV) trips to and from the site, with a maximum of five HGV trips in any one day.
Once constructed and operational, the proposed solar farm would be monitored remotely, according to the applicant. Engie Developments said there would be regular visits, around once a month, by security and/or maintenance personnel, as well as occasional visits for repairs to the plant or equipment over the lifetime of the project. These predicted traffic movements are envisaged to have a negligible impact on local traffic.
A traffic management plan submitted with the planning application states that, during the construction stage, all deliveries and other trips (construction workers and design staff) travelling to and from the site will be made between the hours of 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am to 2pm on Saturdays.
In addition, a minibus will be provided to bring workers to and from the site to minimise disruptions for local residents, the planning bid stated.
A 'glint and glare' assessment was also submitted as part of the application, which concludes that, as the proposed site is an agricultural field surrounded by thick hedgerows and trees, there will be no impact on nearby residential or regional roads.
A nature impact assessment expects no residual or cumulative negative environmental impacts on the surrounding area if the establishment of the solar farm goes ahead.
The application documents state that the Irish government published its Climate Action Plan 2024 on June 18, with a target to install up to 5 GW of solar PV capacity by 2030 and of achieving 80% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2030.
A decision on the application is expected from Offaly County Council on October 28.